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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2014/09/test_embed.html
Laura Merwin | lmerwin@masslive.com
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2014/09/test_embed.htmlFri, 26 Sep 2014 13:56:24 UTC2014-09-26T17:56:38Z
The ever changing water-line is just one of the things that keeps me coming back to the Quabbin over and over again.

It is amazing how quickly the water level in the Quabbin Reservoir can change. With a body of water this large you would think that it would take many months for the drought-like weather to have a visible effect on the reservoir when in fact, the results of very little rain shows what seems like almost immediately.

Just a few short months ago the water was still rushing over the top of the spillway and now everyday seems to reveal more and more shoreline. It wasn't that long ago that this little stretch of beach and the rocky outcrop in front of it were non-existent. The water usually licks at the bottom of the trees on this point.

We have had several inches of rain over the last couple of weeks so I'm sure the Quabbin will be refilling slowly but surely as all that water makes its way down from the mountain streams. The ever changing water-line is just one of the things that keeps me coming back to the Quabbin over and over again. The view is really ever-changing.

The water level is low in the Quabbin Reservoir. photo by Laura Merwin

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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2012/08/low_water.html
Laura Merwin | lmerwin@masslive.com
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2012/08/low_water.htmlPioneer Valley LifeWaterscapesQuabbinWed, 29 Aug 2012 15:00:56 UTC2012-08-29T15:15:02Z
If you look hard enough though you can still find a few Canada Goose that have made their family home near the visitor center despite the presence of that big, bad coyote decoy.

The male turkey puts on quite a display. photo by Laura Merwin

As usual I took my quick ride through the Quabbin Reservoir again this morning. Lately the park has been ripe with turkeys, usually in a party of three, they have overrun both dike and dam and every field in between.

The Canada Goose family were busy snacking in the grass this morning. photo by Laura Merwin

If you look hard enough though you can still find a few Canada Goose that have made their family home near the visitor center despite the presence of that big, bad coyote decoy.

Photo by Laura MerwinThis is an Instagram I shot on March 24, 2012. For more of my Instagrams you can follow me on there, I am username lauramerwin or follow my Flickr account where I will usually post them as well.

One of my favorite photographers posted his iPhone photos to his blog today. Gasp!

I have been an Art Wolfe fan for quite some time now, having become completely hooked on his ‘Travels to the Edge’ television series. I’ve always been thrilled that he shoots with Canon gear (as do I) rather than that ‘other’ brand, but now I have an even bigger reason to love his stuff. iPhoneography!

In and of itself that‘s not that big of a deal, but when you are a photographer with thousands of dollars invested in high tech gear and you opt to use your iPhone, it’s a hard sell, not only to other photographers but to yourself.

I have been shooting almost exclusively with my iPhone for over a year now. I am truly and thoroughly hooked on Instagram, but I have to admit as much as I love the work I’ve churned out with my iPhone 4 I always felt guilty that my expensive camera gear is sitting in my bag, unused but not unloved. But this bit of news puts a whole new spin on it for me.

Art Wolfe is posting photos on his blog that he shot in Melbourne, Australia with his iPhone. How great is that? We all have heard the expression ‘it’s not the camera, it’s the photographer.’ But it is really nice to finally have one of the ‘big guys’ back it up. The photos he posted are certainly enough to prove the value of the iPhone camera, they are vibrant and stunning, as his photos always are.

Now If he would just get himself an old Diana or a Brownie and shoot a couple rolls, things would be on the best track possible!

Note: If you want to follow my stuff on Instagram, I'd be thrilled -- my username on there is lauramerwin. Please leave your username in the comment section as well so that I can check out your stuff!

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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2012/03/photographer_art_wolfe_posts_i.html
Laura Merwin | lmerwin@masslive.com
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2012/03/photographer_art_wolfe_posts_i.htmlInstagramPioneer Valley LifeinstagramiphoneWed, 28 Mar 2012 22:11:00 UTC2012-03-28T22:50:29ZNO VALUELaura Merwin | lmerwin@masslive.comThis is an Instagram I shot on March 24, 2012. For more of my Instagrams you can follow me on there, I am username lauramerwin or follow my Flickr account where I will usually post them as well.
Testing out using Storify for this blog.

Photo by Jeff MerwinTaken with an iPhone 4 and then filtered using Instagram.

With the explosion of ‘smart phones’ on the market carrying around a separate point and shoot camera has become less and less of a necessity. As they used to say ‘You’ve come a long way, baby.’ Back when cell phones first came equipped with cameras you were lucky if you got a grainy, blob of a full mexapixel out of your phone, but now with iPhones and Droids clocking in at 5 megapixels, the need to carry that extra camera around with you has become a part of the past.

Having traded in my 3 year old Samsung BlackJack II, for a spiffy new iPhone4 just a couple of months ago, I can tell you the difference is amazing. I’ve actually been known to leave the house without a camera in tow because I have my trusty iPhone with me and should that ever-elusive moose decide to wander out of the woods, I can still get a decent shot of him!

As if the camera quality of the straight shot out of the cell phone isn’t enough, there are several photography apps that can take your candids to the next level. Here a few of my favorites!

Instagram: Instagram is not only a camera app, but it is also a twitter-like service that allows you to follow (and be followed by) some of your own favorite friend photographers. I haven’t really explored this aspect of the program, I’ve been strictly using it for the awesome instant filters that you can apply to your photographs. From the really deep blacks of the ‘Gotham’ filter, to the muted, orange-heavy ‘1977’ filter (which is extremely accurate to film photos from the 70s), to the grey-blues of ‘Nashville’ there is a filter to suit any mood you happen to want to evoke with your photo. Instagram is free!

HDR: If you haven’t enabled the HDR on your iPhone4, do it now. It came free with your last upgrade, so what are you waiting for. The difference it makes in your photos will amaze you. Suddenly you will have clouds in the sky instead of the steel-grey blank slate.

photo by Laura MerwinPanorama of the Enfield Lookout at the Quabbin Reservoir using the Pano program for iPhone.

Pano: Who doesn’t love a good panorama? Sometime just a single frame of the view isn’t enough and this Pano app makes taking panoramas very simple. After taking the first shot you are given a shadow of the edge of your shot, so that you can line up your next shot, and your next, and your next. One tip that I got from Pat Brough that I’d like to pass along to you is that although it is tempting to hold your phone in landscape mode (after all you are trying to cover as much ground as possible, right) you are much better off to shoot portrait style and just take a few more frames. You’ll end up with a much larger pano, rather than a long skinny one. This one isn’t free, but at just $2.99 it’s definitely worth it.

IncrediBooth: All the fun of a photo booth without having to wonder what that sticky stuff is on the floor. You know you love the photobooth and these days they are getting harder and harder to find. Now you can take your own photo strips with your iPhone. Cramming yourself into the nearest broom closet with your best buddy is optional for that up-close-and-personal encounter with your friends! Just hit the button and the camera does the rest shooting 4 shots in succession! Incredibooth is more than worth the 99 cent cost of admission to the booth!

If you’ve got any favorite photography iPhone apps that you like to use, drop a comment down below and tip us all off to the fun!

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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/11/fun_and_useful_photography_app.html
Laura Merwin | lmerwin@masslive.com
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/11/fun_and_useful_photography_app.htmlPhotographyPioneer Valley LifetechAppleiphoneiphone-appsphotographyTue, 23 Nov 2010 11:30:57 UTC2010-11-22T22:39:37ZNO VALUELaura Merwin | lmerwin@masslive.comTaken with an iPhone 4 and then filtered using Instagram.NO VALUELaura Merwin | lmerwin@masslive.comNubble Lighthouse in Ogunquit, Maine filtered in Instragram.NO VALUELaura Merwin | lmerwin@masslive.comPanorma of the Enfield Lookout at the Quabbin Reservoir using the Pano program for iPhone.
Check out the photos and video of Springfield's fireworks and then upload your own.
The 2010 Springfield fireworks display was a sight to behold once again this year.

In less than a half hour the city shot a multitude of colorful shells off the Memorial Bridge to the delight of onlookers across the city that filled a multitude of rooftops, parking lots and garages, Riverfront Park and downtown city streets.

As a technical note, I used my wide angle lens and buttoned down the camera to my tripod to keep as much shake out of the images as possible. Even with the tripod, about half way through the show I wished I had thought to hook in my remote so that I wouldn't have had to touch the camera at all.

I shot the works in manual mode with an ISO of 100, aperture of 5.6 and I adjusted the length of the exposure on the fly, shortening the timing when the sky was chock-a-block full of light and lengthening the time when it was just one or two shells. The finale was so brilliant I had to drop my timing down several stops in order to keep the color of the explosions and to prevent blowing out the entire frame.

The video below was shot by my husband, he worked the video camera while I worked the Rebel. I hope you enjoy it.

Don't forget, if you shot some photos of any of the fireworks, parades, festivities (even your own backyard barbeque) we here at MassLive.com want to see your photos. Upload them to our gallery over here: 4th-0f-July, and your photos might be feature on the site or in The Republican!

In case you missed them, check out the video montage I put together. Enjoy and have a great holiday weekend.

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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/07/pat_heads_over_to_the_holyoke.html
Patrick Brough
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/07/pat_heads_over_to_the_holyoke.htmlLandscapesPhotographyPioneer Valley Life4th of julyFireworksFlipHolyokePatrick BroughphotographyvideoSat, 03 Jul 2010 04:56:44 UTC2010-07-03T11:18:44ZNO VALUEPatrick BroughNO VALUEPatrick BroughNO VALUEPatrick Brough
I know I have been lacking for a long time in posts here to the blog. Well, things happen and some things often get moved to the side. Sadly this blog is one of those things. I figured I would stop in just to post a quick thing about the city of Easthampton here for you all to check out....

I know I have been lacking for a long time in posts here to the blog. Well, things happen and some things often get moved to the side. Sadly this blog is one of those things.

I figured I would stop in just to post a quick thing about the city of Easthampton here for you all to check out. So in case you are not from Easthampton we are celebrating our 225th birthday this week. You can learn all about the events and activities by checking out this website that was established by the Easthampton 225th group.

Over the winter I started thinking about a video project that would be kind of cool to have and so I started asking over on Facebook if people would be interested. Turns out there was a lot of people that were interested and after a few months of me traveling around with my Flip I have a finished product.

So if your interested in watching about 6 minutes of folks from all over Easthampton (including me) wishing this great city a Happy Birthday check out the video.

So I will end by saying there will be so many chances to get out with the camera this weekend in Easthampton that I would be shocked it we don't see a few show up in the Readers Gallery.

I hope to see all of you out and about enjoying the celebrations.

Happy Birthday Easthampton!!

Patrick Brough

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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/06/easthampton_celebrates_225_yea.html
Patrick Brough
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/06/easthampton_celebrates_225_yea.htmlBreaking NewsBuildingsLandscapesPhotographyPioneer Valley Lifevideo01027225thcameraeasthamptonPatrick BroughvideoWed, 16 Jun 2010 03:15:36 UTC2010-06-16T13:35:35ZNO VALUEPatrick BroughThe Easthampton 225th Logo designed by Clay Crow of Mantis Graphics in Easthampton.NO VALUEPatrick Brough
The great colors of Spring are alive in Western Mass. Pat was out getting some shots in Easthampton this weekend and suggests you do the same.

Every year spring rolls in to New England around April and, being New England, it can last six or eight weeks or can be over before it starts. Just last week it hit the high 80's and I would not be shocked if we have a few more mid- 40 degree days before the warmer weather sets in.

Patrick BroughThe trees are in bloom but only for a short time in Easthampton.

So one thing I noticed here in Easthampton and really everywhere, are the trees sprouting flowers. Driving up and down Cottage and Union Streets you will see the trees all white with flowers. I had a chance to get out and get some shots of the trees this weekend. I will say, I picked the worst time of the day to do it, but when you have time you do the best you can. I will recommend that if you are going out you should do it either early in the morning or later in the afternoon about an hour or two before sunset.

Patrick BroughMt. Tom the Nashawannuck Pond and the amazing trees make for a great pictures.

I took a stroll down Union St. and a little bit of Cottage St. with my Pentax and monopod in tow. One thing my friend Jason Turcotte over in the Technology Blog mentioned a few weeks ago rang very true. Easthampton has a TON of power lines that pretty much kill every shot you want to take with an upward view. You are so right Jason, so I added this shot to show some of them.

Patrick BroughThe power lines in Easthampton are pretty annoying when you want a shot.

But, I was out to get shots of the trees so I did my best. One thing I noticed (that you don't see from the car driving down the road) is that those flowers on the trees are covered with bees! I was determined to get a shot of one of the bumble bees but he was less that thrilled to work with me. So I took this (and about 20 others) and had to settle for close enough. If you have time, hang out by the trees and I am sure you will be able to get something better.

Patrick Brough

I wish I could get a shot with all the trees on the street. I was not able to so I had to settle for this one looking down Union St. toward Mt. Tom.

Patrick Brough

Last but not least, one of my favorite shots from my little hour long walk. I took this picture of the rhododendrons in front of the Nashawannuck Pond. I was really happy I got the shot the way I wanted to! Maybe next time a tripod and a wider aperture to get everything in focus front to back. But I think that would take more than a tripod and more than likely an ND filter or two to make it work. Either way I like it and may actually print and frame it.

Patrick Brough

So if you have some free time this week get out with the camera and get some shots of spring happening in your area! The birds are chirping, the flowers are growing and your shutter should be snapping.

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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/04/spring_is_short_get_out_with_y.html
Patrick Brough
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/04/spring_is_short_get_out_with_y.htmlFlowersLandscapesPhotographyPhotosPioneer Valley LifeWaterscapesEasthamptonflowersMt. TomPatrick BroughPentaxphotographypondtreesWestern MassachusettsMon, 12 Apr 2010 00:30:53 UTC2010-04-12T23:38:54ZNO VALUEPatrick BroughThe trees are in bloom but only for a short time in Easthampton.NO VALUEPatrick BroughMt. Tom the Nashawannuck Pond and the amazing trees make for a great pictures.NO VALUEPatrick BroughThe power lines in Easthampton are pretty annoying when you want a shot. NO VALUEPatrick BroughNO VALUEPatrick BroughNO VALUEPatrick Brough
Check out the video showing the straight poop behind raising urban chickens.

If you haven't heard, the city of Holyoke is raising the question of whether they should allow chicken farming within the city limits. There is an awesome discussion going on over on the article about it and I've joined into the comments a couple of times myself.

While I was in there this morning reading all the pros and cons of chicken farming I decided I would give you a first hand look at the seething underbelly of the art of raising urban chickens. I actually live in a very suburban neighborhood with over 4 acres of land but you can get the general idea, my coop would easily fit into a postage stamp sized back yard with no problem. So check out the video and get the straight poop on raising chickens.

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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/04/chickens_in_holyoke.html
Laura Merwin | lmerwin@masslive.com
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/04/chickens_in_holyoke.htmlChicken Momchicken coopchickensSat, 10 Apr 2010 14:51:36 UTC2010-04-10T15:23:06Z
Pat once again marches in the Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade and shares his view from the street.

Well, the 59th Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Parade has come and gone. I can only speak for the last five years but heard from a few people that this was the best weather they have had in at least twenty years.

Patrick BroughMost of the Easthampton contingent made the best of the long wait with some tailgating.

This year was another first in at least 20 years for Easthampton, we had a parade float. I am sure I mentioned more than a few times over the past year or so how much I love this community. A group of volunteers with just a few weeks time, put together what turned out to be a great float that represents Easthampton and it's celebration of turning 225 years old. I will take a minute here to mention a few folks that really made the float a reality. Melissa Pike of Autumn Properties for time and materials to build the float, Clay Crow of Mantis Graphics who went WAY above and beyond with hours and hours of time in designing and putting together all the graphics you see on the float. We also had Marjorie & Mitch Pietras of All About You LLC for helping with the float and more important being our drivers to, from and during the parade. We had several carpenters including Easthampton's own Mayor Mike swinging a hammer to get the float parade ready. I would list everyone, but you all know who you are and your help was greatly appreciated.

On to the parade. So I really don't get to see much of the parade from the street, so I take the hours that we wait to get out and get some shots, I get pictures too ;-), of people waiting as well. I really like the Flip Mino HD as I have mentioned as a supplement to the pictures. It is a little shaky unless on the tripod, even on a good day, but I still like what it does and is very small and easy to use.

Here is my video from the day. You can see the love for Easthampton I am sure. You would be amazed at how many people gladly take a picture as you walk along. Since the Easthampton group was there to tell everyone about our upcoming birthday, we had many people shout out "happy birthday Eashampton". I did have a little helper who prompted the crowd as I walked along with the Flip getting cheers and well wishes for Easthampton (thanks Kim H)

After many hours of hurrying up just to again wait, we finally took to the streets of Holyoke. It really is a fun time seeing everyone cheer you and whatever group you are in as you walk along. I take advantage of being in the parade and take pictures of the fun things you see from the middle of the road as opposed to the sidewalk looking in.

View full sizePatrick BroughI am sure this guy was on all the TV stations at least once. Heck, I have seen his picture in at least 3 publications/websites.View full sizePatrick BroughThe clown with a few tramps. View full sizePatrick BroughShe was very happy to see us. Patrick BroughIf you look at last years post up above, you should notice these are the same people. View full sizePatrick BroughThe Easthampton float with the Easthampton's 2010 Junior Miss (Danielle Glenn) & her Court. The float won 2nd Place in the Patriotic Division. Patrick BroughLike I said hold up the camera and they will wave.

I thought this was one the funnier things I saw along the parade route. Actually, a lot of people saw this, but I am not sure we got the answer as to why they are all closed.

I could go on and post a few more of my hundred or so shots I took but I am sure you are all just as excited to share your pictures. So why not head over to the gallery and share you view from the parade. It doesn't have to be from the middle of the road. Heck, I wonder if anyone got any pictures of me? Either way, head over and share as many other are doing here.

Thanks for looking and I must say I am already looking forward to next year.

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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/03/of_course_pat_was_at_the_holyo.html
Patrick Brough
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/03/of_course_pat_was_at_the_holyo.htmlPeoplePhotographyPioneer Valley LifeSt. Patrick'sWildvideoEasthamptonGREENholyokeHolyokeNewsparadepartyPat BroughPhotographyporta pottyshamrockst-patricks-day-paradeSt. Patrick's DayTue, 23 Mar 2010 01:22:01 UTC2010-03-23T03:57:10ZNO VALUEPatrick BroughMost of the Easthampton contingent made the best of the long wait with some tailgating. NO VALUEPatrick BroughLike I said hold up the camera and they will wave. NO VALUEPatrick BroughThe Easthampton float with the Easthampton Junior Miss & her Court won 2nd Place in the Patriotic Division. NO VALUEPatrick BroughIf you look at last years post up above, you should notice these are the same people. NO VALUEPatrick BroughShe was very happy to see us. NO VALUEPatrick BroughThe clown with a few tramps. NO VALUEPatrick BroughI am sure this guy was on all the TV stations at least once. Heck, I have seen his picture in at least 3 publications/websites.NO VALUEPatrick BroughWaiting also means a lot of time warm up the band. NO VALUEPatrick BroughLike I said hurry up and wait. NO VALUEPatrick BroughThe road is paved in green. NO VALUEPatrick Brough
Pat takes the family to Holyoke to see the 35th Annual Holyoke St. Patrick's Day Road Race.

This is going to be a short and sweet post as it is late and I will be marching in the big parade tomorrow.

View full sizePatrick BroughThe top runners get a good spot to start the race.

I had the camera and the Flip Mino HD with me of course and was able to get some shots I thought you would all like to see.

Patrick BroughThe Mummers start the Parade with a concert for all in Veteran's Park

We headed over to Hampden Park on Maple Street where most of the people gathered before the start of the race. With the weather being almost summer like it was the place to be for sure. I would guess they had way more people than they would have if it was a normal 50 degree day.

View full sizePatrick BroughThe crowd was well above average with the amazing weather.

We picked a spot on Maple Street that turned out pretty great for the start of the race.

View full sizePatrick BroughIt took at least 10 to 20 minutes for all the runners to cross the start line.

View full sizePatrick BroughThere was about 10 of these all green dudes running the race.

I was able to head over to the finish line as the first runner crossed the finish line at an AMAZING time of 28:55 (that is 28 minutes 55 seconds). Now I did not have a very good vantage point with a few thousand people trying to get a good view. I did use the a Sigma 70-200 and was able to get luck for a few shots.

Like this one when the winner Alene Reta an Ethiopian that lives in NY cross the finish line.

I also just missed the female winner Stephanie Reilly of Northbridge Ma., as she crossed the finish line. I actually had walked away and when I heard the cheer from the crowd I held the camera over the people in front of me and pointed at Stephanie and fired off a few shots as she crossed the finish line and sat right down a few feet past the line. I had to crop the shot so you will see it lost some of the detail. But you still feel her exhaustion.

View full sizePatrick BroughStephanie Reilly, of Northbridge, crossing the finish line at 35:18. She then sat right down exhausted I am sure from the run.

I will leave you will a shot going up Hampden Street as we headed out of the city. It was a really fun few hours and I actually was inspired to run the race next year.

View full sizePatrick BroughThe view as people make the last hill to the finish line on Hampden Street.

Stay tuned to the blog for shots from the parade!!!! Hope to see you there.

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http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/03/holyoke_st_patricks_day_road_r.html
Patrick Brough
]]>http://blog.masslive.com/bayroadphoto/2010/03/holyoke_st_patricks_day_road_r.htmlPeoplePhotographyPhotosPioneer Valley LifevideoHolyokeNewsPat BroughPhotographyRaceRoad RaceRunst-patricks-day-road raceSt. Patrick's DaySun, 21 Mar 2010 01:52:32 UTC2010-03-21T03:04:44ZNO VALUEPatrick BroughThe top runners get a good spot to start the race. NO VALUEPatrick BroughThe Mummers start the Parade with a concert for all in Veteran's ParkNO VALUEPatrick BroughThe crowd was well above average with the amazing weather. NO VALUEPatrick BroughIt took at least 10 to 20 minutes for all the runners to cross the start line. NO VALUEPatrick BroughThere was about 10 of these all green dudes running the race. NO VALUEPatrick BroughAlene Reta the 35th Holyoke Road Race winner after crossing the finish line. NO VALUEPatrick BroughStephanie Reilly, of Northbridge, crossing the finish line at 35:18. She then sat right down exhausted I am sure from the run. NO VALUEPatrick BroughThe view as people make the last hill to the finish line on Hampden Street.NO VALUEPatrick BroughNothing beats running under the Red,White & Blue.